(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) Referring to the current economic crisis, Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis on Tuesday February 17, underlined that the government’s updated Stability and Growth Programme was “clear, specific and responds to the needs and demands of the times.” The premier made the comments in response to the positions outlined in the report released on Monday by Greece’s central bank governor George Provopoulos. The premier said that nobody could predict with any confidence the duration of the major global crisis now unfolding. He said the government’s plan was based on three main lines of policy: gradual reduction of the public deficit, boosting the real economy and supporting the weakest members of society. He emphasised the need for a calm and responsible approach, coupled with a spirit of national consensus, in order to weather the crisis. Ministry of Economy and Finance: Fact Sheets